News

On a glorious Spring day yesterday, Sunday 16th March, in the new venue at Pontypridd's Ynysangharad Park, Cardiff AAC teams won a hatful of medals in the annual Welsh Athletics road relays.

The day started with Emily Chirighin's clear win in the under 11 girls'race (the under 11 races are not relays) and ended with the senior men's commanding win by over a minute in their event, thus retaining the title that they won last year.

Cardiff AAC life member Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of a select band of Welsh men and women who have been honoured in the inaugural St David Awards for "extraordinary achievements".

Following her career as one of the first superstars of Paralympic athletics, Cardiff born Tanni has gone on to become one of the country's leading spokespersons for disabled sport. Born with spina bifida, Tanni has been wheelchair bound from an early age but overcame her disability with outstanding success as her 15 medals (11 gold) at the Paralympic Games testify.

Although David Omoregie's world class junior 60m hurdles time of 7.50 (placing him the second best ever) was by far and away the highlight of the under 20 international held at NIAC on Sunday last, 9th March, numerous Cardiff athletes posted personal best performances, which auger well for the outdoor season ahead.

David's hurdles time improved his previous best of 7.62 by a huge margin and he is now looking forward to the IAAF World Junior Championships in June. It will also be interesting to see what he can do over the higher, senior hurdles where he has already shown his ability indoors.

David Omoregie's run of fine form continued in Sheffield at the England championships over the weekend when he smashed his previous best to set British and European under 20 records for the 60m hurdles.

In both the heats and final of his event, he clocked identical times - 7.62 - to eliminate the previous best of 7.65 set by James Gladman a year ago.

Perhaps he could have gone even faster if he had tied his shoelaces (see picture)!

The final Gwent League round of the season was held today, St David's day, at Blaise Castle, Bristol in the best conditions so far this year, with NO RAIN, no wind and plenty of sunshine.

Amongst numerous high placers, the only winner was Ciaran Lewis in the under 17 men's race, while Ffion Price was second in the senior women's, Emily Chirghin third in the under 11 and Sofia Vella also third in the under 13 girls' races.

With the final Gwent League race of this season taking place on Saturday, we shall move on to road running - the Welsh Road Relays Championships are being held in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd on Sunday 16th March.

Cardff teams traditionally do well in these relays so we want 2014 to be another successful year.

There are races for all ages from primary school athletes to masters athletes and, if you wish to take part, please get in touch by Sunday next, 2nd March at the latest.

Cardiff athletes were competing with success over last weekend, at the British Universities indoor championships in Sheffield and the Armagh international road races in Northern Ireland.

In Sheffield, James Thie, representing Cardiff Metropolitan University, took the 1500m title, with Matthew Edwards sixth in the final. Mica Moore was second in the 60m and fourth in the 200m while Dewi Hammond was third in the 60m.

Representing Loughborough, David Guest was second in the long jump with a leap of 7.22m and fourth in the shot put with 14.27m.

Following a thorough review, the club is set to launch an exciting new initiative for its younger members. The popular Track Rats group, which was created by senior coach Dave Hawthorn more than 10 years ago, will be re-named the Cardiff Athletics Academy. The Academy will cater for the under-11 and under-13 age groups and will offer the best possible introduction to athletics.

In order to meet an expected increase in Academy members we are looking to recruit additional coaches. Academy coaches will be paid and if you are interested, please contact club secretary Ann Cooper (acooper.caac@sky.com) who will give you further information.